So as the NFL season approaches its final weeks, fantasy footballers are making critical lineup decisions on a weekly basis. These decisions can have a huge impact on their competitive futures in the league. A deep dive into Week 14, featuring delicious turkey legs and rotten tomatoes. This predicament forces owners to weigh objectivity against their own feelings as they assemble their teams. Key players such as Rome Odunze, Dalton Schultz, Jaylen Warren, and J.J. McCarthy have recently emerged as focal points in many fantasy discussions.
And while Rome Odunze was the conference’s most dynamic wide receiver early this season, he hasn’t scored since Week 4. Odunze has made it a habit to begin seasons scorching hot, with five touchdowns in his first three games this year. Yet, he has had a tough time maintaining that momentum. As the weeks have rolled on, his production has started to dry up, causing fantasy owners to wonder if he’d be worth the risk in their lineups.
Dalton Schultz has been a relatively rock solid asset to fantasy rosters. He has recorded double-digit fantasy totals in three of his past four games, showcasing a resurgence that has made him a viable option moving forward. The reward with the tight end position is that you can usually find surprises. Schultz’s recent outings have made his path to a starting berth the most secure—notably considering how badly the Jaguars have fared against tight ends. The Jaguars are still among the teams giving up the second-most fantasy points to this position.
In the meantime, Jaylen Warren keeps adding to his breakout season. He’s had at least 13 fantasy points in five of seven games. That long expedition of excellence provides undeniable proof of his winning acumen under various game conditions. Last Sunday, Warren was the recipient of all three running back carries inside the 5-yard line. That underscores his importance in goal-line situations and increases his upside for scoring opportunities.
What’s more, McCarthy showed he’s back in a big way during Week 9, after having missed the previous five contests. He masterfully navigated his offense to a stunning upset win over Detroit. He scored four touchdowns, including three rushing touchdowns. His stellar outing totalled him 18.9 fantasy points, which made him the QB14 on the week. Heading into Sunday’s action, McCarthy has QB15 upside, making him an attractive option for managers seeking a mid-tier quarterback.
The next week have their own big names missing as well that will leave fantasy rosters in flux. My Christian McCaffrey and Drake Maye are both facing ill-timed byes in Week 14, so I’m up against it when it comes to finding an alternative. The departure of so many elite players can leave critical holes in fantasy lineups.
Since Week 4, Romeo Doubs has been the most reliable name among the group in the receiver corps. He’s averaging 15.8 fantasy points a game and is currently WR13. Doubs, meanwhile, has had at least eight targets in four of his last five games. This upward trend is indicative of him being a preferred target in his team’s offensive design. The uptick in the amount of real opportunities indicates that he should be considered a reliable starter long term.
As fantasy football managers prepare for these critical decisions leading into Week 14, they must consider both recent performances and the broader context of players’ roles within their respective offenses.
“In order for Ben Johnson’s offense to really take off, Williams needs to develop a stronger sense of timing and more precise ball location.” – Matt Bowen
This latest observation from our very own Matt Bowen serves to further illustrate how timing and execution can do wonders to unlock an offense’s full potential. As teams start to enter the stretch run of the season, many are making moves and shifts in strategy. These nuances can really be the difference.
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